The defending Super Bowl champions begin their title defense tomorrow night at Gillette Stadium against the Tennessee Titans.

The Patriots haven’t seen the Titans since the 2015 season and the two have squared off just seven times in the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era. The Patriots are 6-1 in those games, including a playoff win in January 2004.

The Titans are two-touchdown underdogs and aren’t being given much hope to advance out of the divisional round. How will it shake out? Let’s look at the matchups:

QUARTERBACKTom Brady vs. Marcus MariotaBrady is 40. Mariota is 24. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that represents the largest gap between starting quarterbacks in NFL postseason history. Does youth trump experience? Not on this occasion. While Brady struggled a bit down the stretch with injuries (Achilles, shoulder), he should be fine for the playoffs. Expect the four-time Super Bowl MVP to dial it up a notch given what’s at stake, not to mention that’s how he usually responds to media bombshells like the one delivered by ESPN last week. Mariota threw 15 picks and just 13 touchdowns in the regular season, but sure played like a stud in the second half against the Chiefs. His ability to make things happen when plays broke down was the difference.Edge: Patriots

RUNNING BACK Dion Lewis, Rex Burkhead, James White vs. Derrick Henry, Khalfani Muhammad, David FluellenLewis took over the lead back role midway through the season and has basically been the lifeline of the offense. His ability to make defenders miss is huge. Burkhead and White should be returning to provide more options and versatility coming out of the backfield. According to Football Outsiders, the Titans were dead last in pass coverage against running backs, so their presence is significant. As for Henry, he was a beast in the Titans’ wild card win over the Chiefs. He rumbled for 156 yards, punishing defenders along the way. With the 6-foot-3, 247-pounder averaging 4.23 yards per carry, they’re in good shape. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s fourth in the league (tied with Lewis) with an average of 3.2 yards gained after contact per attempt. DeMarco Murray was ruled out Wednesday which is significant.Edge: Patriots

OFFENSIVE LINE LT Nate Solder, LG Joe Thuney, C David Andrews, RG Shaq Mason, RT Cameron Fleming vs. LT Taylor Lewan, LG Quinton Spain, C Ben Jones, RG Josh Kline, RT Jack ConklinThe Patriots offensive line has struggled mightily at different points this season. The 35 sacks of Brady stood out compared with just 15 last year, although that number was produced with four less games. The line did better when it came to opening holes for running backs as the Patriots had the league’s 10th best rushing attack. The Titans are a physical group, but they also gave up a ton of sacks (27) on Mariota, who is a much more mobile quarterback. That total reached 35 with Matt Cassel in there for several games. Tennessee’s run game is also good, 15th-best in the league. Former Patriots guard Kline (2013-15) is a veteran presence in the group.Edge: Titans

WIDE RECEIVERBrandin Cooks, Danny Amendola, Chris Hogan vs. Corey Davis, Eric Decker, Rishard MatthewsThe Patriots have gotten by without their best receiver, Julian Edelman. He’s been missed but others made up the absence in different ways. The dependable and clutch Amendola had one of his best seasons (61 catches, 659 yards), and Cooks (65 catches, 1,062 yards) provided a deep, consistent threat. Hogan started out well but got injured in Week 8. He’s expected back Saturday night. Decker and Matthews led the Titans with 54 and 53 receptions, respectively. Davis added 34 grabs. They aren’t elite receivers by any stretch, but they’ve done enough in a run-first offense.Edge: Patriots

TIGHT ENDRob Gronkowski, Dwayne Allen vs.Delanie Walker, Jonnu SmithGronkowski is the best tight end in the game and a matchup problem for every team. A first-team All-Pro selection, he can beat you in the passing game (69 catches, 1084 yards, 8 TDs) and is an effective blocker in the running game. In addition, he was injured during the playoffs last year so motivation is a big advantage for the Pats this time around. Allen hasn’t been the best target for Brady but has worked well in the running game. Tennessee’s Walker is no slouch. He was the Titans’ best receiver, catching 74 passes for 807 yards with three touchdowns. He caught 20 more passes than the nearest wide receiver. Smith had 18 catches on the season for 157 yards.Edge: Patriots

DEFENSIVE BACKCB Malcolm Butler, CB Stephon Gilmore, S Devin McCourty, S Patrick Chung, S Duron Harmon vs. CB Adoree Jackson, CB Logan Ryan, S Kevin Byard, S Johnathan Cyprien, S Da’Norris SearcyThe defensive backfield was supposed to be the Patriots’ strength, but it hasn’t quite played out that way. Gilmore, signed to a $65 million free agent contract, has been inconsistent as the top corner. Butler, who didn’t get the contract he hoped for and will be a free agent after the season, has also been up and down. Safeties McCourty, Chung and Harmon have been much more steady. The Titans feature All-Pro safety Byard, who has a league-best eight interceptions. Cyprien, another safety, is a hard-hitter. Former Patriot Ryan has been a welcome addition and veteran presence while Jackson has played well in his rookie season.Edge: Patriots

LINEBACKERKyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts, Marquis Flowers vs. Derrick Morgan, Wesley Woodyard, Avery Williamson, Brian OrakpoThe Pats’ linebacking corps lost its leader and signal caller Dont’a Hightower as well as Shea McClellin to season-ending injuries this season. There have been some moving parts, and Roberts and Flowers have come on of late. Van Noy has missed some time but is expected to return from a calf injury. The Titans, meanwhile, feature Woodyard, who is their top playmaker with 81 tackles and four sacks. Morgan has 7.5 sacks followed by Orakpo with seven.Edge: Titans

DEFENSIVE LINEDE Trey Flowers, DT Malcom Brown, DT Lawrence Guy, DE Deatrich Wise vs. DE Austin Johnson, DT Sylvester Williams, DE Jurrell CaseyThe Patriots front hasn’t been able to generate much of a pass rush or set the edge to contain the run. They’re hoping the addition of veteran James Harrison will help in those areas. The return of Alan Branch, who’s missed the past few games with a knee injury, would also make them more stout. In the Titans’ 3-4 alignment, they’re led by Casey, who has six sacks. They are also stout against the run, as they limited Chiefs rookie Kareem Hunt to just 42 yards in last week’s playoff win.Edge: Titans

SPECIAL TEAMSK Stephen Gostkowski, P Ryan Allen, KR Dion Lewis, PR Danny Amendola vs. K Ryan Succop, P Brett Kern, R Adoree Jackson, R David FluellenGostkowski (37 of 40) is ranked fourth in field goal percentage and 11th (45-of-47) in extra points while Succop (35-of-42) is fifth in field goal percentage and 17th in extra points (31-of-33). Kern’s had a good year punting and Ryan has come on of late. The returners are a wash statistically. The Patriots coverage units have been very good all year. That’s what puts them over the top.Edge: Patriots

COACHBill Belichick vs. Mike MularkeyBelichick has won five Super Bowls as a head coach and seven rings in all. Mularkey is ring-less, has been with seven different teams, and has had to deal with rumblings about his job security with this one. When it comes down to it, there really isn’t any coach in the league who measures up to the Hoodie, who is 26-10 in postseason games. His credentials alone trump everyone, but his in-game strategy and acumen is also hard to beat.Edge: Patriots